Vedvyas Mela kicks off

Rourkela: The 105th Vedvyas Mela was kicked off at the Vedvyas temple on the outskirts of the steel city on Maha Shivratri here last evening.

Briefing newsmen on the occasion, Rourkela ADM Rabindranath Mishra spoke on the importance of the Mela and venue saying that the district administration has made elaborate arrangements for the visitors. Besides lightning, health and sanitation measures, adequate police forces have been deployed to oversee law and order situation and traffic. Besides, fire tenders have been also deployed to tackle any fire mishap during the Mela. The Administration has also put up barricades along the rivers bank to restrict the devotees from taking bath, the ADM informed.

Talking to PBD, member of Vedvyas Trust Board Badrinarayan Padhi said around 800 vendors from various parts of the country have put up their stalls at the Mela and 40 more for exhibiting excusive products are expected that attracts people from Western Odisha districts besides Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand.

On the first day, more than 80,000 people visited the Mela which will continue till March 24.

On the occasion, Sundargarh Collector Rupa Roshan Sahu inaugurated a four-day district development exhibition, organized by the district administration, at Vedvyas Trust Board office premises.

Various government departments and Self Help Groups (SHGs) are participating in the exhibition displaying their skills and products.

A booklet on Vedvyas Maha Shivaratri Mela, compiled and edited by Mahendra Mishra was released on the occasion, printing and publicity was made by district administration and the trust board.